Zavadnikov's Russian 'Synergy GT' Prevails On Day 1 To Lead 2014 Melges 32 European Championship

Riva Del Garda, Italy - The first day of racing for the seventeen-strong Melges 32 fleet in Riva Del Garda was nothing short of spectacular. Three races under stunning conditions elevated overall leader Valentin Zavadnikov and his Synergy GT team to the top of the ranking charts, now ahead by three.

Talamone Champion Roberto Tomasini Grinover aboard Robertissima is seated in second, followed by the Melges 32 fleet's first European lady helm Claudia Rossi at the helm of Wilma placing third.

The first race of the day got underway with nice and breezy, relatively flat water conditions and an anxious, powerful fleet punching the starting line for an aggressive commencement to the European Championship. Mauro Mocchegiani at the helm of Fratelli Giacomel Audi e-Tron took the big Race One win. Tomasini Grinover was in the hunt early finishing second, while Rossi showed no fear, unintimidated by this competitive fleet to take third.

Zavadnikov, with tactician Michele Ivaldi made all the right shifts to come up with the bullet in Race Two. Again, many were in pursuit of the top spot including Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio on G Spot, Rossi, Edoardo Lupi's Torpyone and Tomasini Grinover all finishing respectively second through fifth.

The breeze built beautifully for the final race of the day on gorgeous Lake Garda. Richard Goransson's Helly Hansen Inga From Sweden blasted off the line to take an early lead. Japan's Naofumi Kamei on Mamma Aiuto! jumped the gun to be called OCS while the rest of the fleet raced to the top mark. Goransson extended to win, just ahead of Zavadnikov to finish in second. Alessandro Rombelli's Azimut by STIG, Serena di Lapigio and Tomasini Grinover battled hard for position on the last leg. Ultimately Tomasini Grinover took third position, whlle Rombelli claimed fourth. Lupi rounded out the top five. Kamei recovered well to finish sixth.

Three more races are scheduled for Friday. If fully completed, a discard will go into play after Race Six, potentially shuffling the placement of teams positions on the scoreboard.

MEDIA AND RACING COVERAGEAs with other Melges 32 events in Europe and around the world, racing updates will be posted online at the Official Audi Melges 32 Facebook Page. Tune in for the latest racing information, results, video interviews, and photos. Race reports, press releases and photos will be available online each day post racing at melges32.com.

As in the past, the start of the Audi Tron Sailing Series means the return of the Audi test drives too. Anyone can demo the A3 g-tron, S1 Sportback, Admired A1, SQ5 and RS6 Avant. For further details, please call 345.9585343, or e-mail.

The Audi Tron Sailing Series has reconfirmed its innovative style with a brand new mobile app - now available on Google Play and iTunes Apple Store for free.